Hello to all LWVYC members and friends,
I can’t believe that summer is ending. There is something about going from Summer to Fall that brings sudden changes. Instead of slowing down and having leisurely time, relaxing. It is a hustle and bustle to start preparing for shorter days, colder mornings, and evenings. Most of us still haven’t recuperated from “Getting Out the Vote “during the primary elections. Those tasks included canvassing, sending notecard reminders to vote, reminding family and friends to vote, and volunteering at tabling events around the valley. Don’t stop now, this is the time to start planning for the General Election. Make sure that you are prepared and up to date to ensure that your vote counts.
Most of you have read the results of the low voter turnout number of ballots that were received and counted at the Yakima County Auditor’s Office, 28%. It was unfortunate that over 1,700 of the voter’s mail-in ballots did not get counted due to ballots not being postmarked in time from the US post office to be validated and counted when received at the Yakima County Elections Office. Please send your mail-in ballot at least 9 days ahead of the deadline of November 3. Take your ballot to the nearest US Post Office and ask the staff to postmark the ballot in your presences. The other sure way to get your ballot counted on time is to drop it in the nearest ballot drop box in your community, or hand deliver it to the County Courthouse Election drop box. I believe our efforts need to be constant and consistent in reminding voters to vote once their ballots arrive. The ballots will be delivered to your mailbox on October 16.
Listen for candidate forums or “meet and greets” near your community that are happening. Make sure that you know if you are residing in Yakima County Legislative District 14 or 15. When listening to candidates pay close attention to their message. Do they represent you and your community issues? Are the candidates reaching out to you in your neighborhoods by canvassing? Are the candidates present at community gatherings and making time to speak to you? Do not be afraid to ask questions, either.
Don’t forget to research initiatives that will be on the November 3 ballot. The measure’s descriptions will be displayed in the online voters’ guide at VoteWA.gov.
They are:
• IP26-645 concerns state and local taxes
• IL 26-001 concerns parental rights relating to their children in public schools
• IL26-638 concerns participation in athletics at K-12 schools.
❖ share this message with people who may not know how to get started in formulating a plan to vote. When no one votes, there is no choice. ❖
Cindy Olivas, LWVYC President
